credit: Bishop Museum Before you take off to look at the I'olani Palace or the Pali lookout, or even Wai'kiki beach, your next visit to the Hawaiian Islands should begin at Oahu’s Bishop Museum. Learn about the Royal lineage, the flora, fauna and ocean life, the everyday life of chief or commoner, the mele and chants, foods, medicines, culture, navigation by the stars and a working volcano display. The new Pacific Hall is a collections of all of the various nations and islanders that share the Pacific Ocean. Long a favorite place to start an exploration of Hawaii for akamai (smart) visitors and a place to teach island keiki (children) about where they live, Bishop Museum appeals to locals and travelers alike. With many exhibits of Hawaiian history, artifacts, paintings and kahili of Hawaiian monarchs, flora and fauna, [...]

I have had a long-standing love affair with The Kahala hotel. Growing up at the foot of Kaimanahila (Diamond Head) on Oahu, Hawaii, as children we went to the Kahala Hilton, as it was known way back in the day, for special occasion brunches. After my teen years I modeled Hawaiian fashion there at lunch. As a young adult I went to listen to a knock-out singer like Connie Kissinger with Kit Samson’s trio after a special dinner date in the Maile Room. A decade ago I was married on the expansive lawn there in a relaxed an elegant “shoes-optional” party at the waters edge. An incarnation or two later and The Kahala is still evolving and now better than ever. Especially the cuisine. Early this summer The Kahala Executive Chef Wayne Hirabayashi was named Outstanding Manager of the Year in the Large Property category [...]